Buzzmaster

(1:58 PM)

Andy Katz

(2:24 PM)

Sorry for the delay. Been running around today with the podcast and first take. Let's take some questions.

Steve (CT)

Syracuse and St. John's will continue to play after this year, any word on a Syracuse Georgetown series in the future?

Andy Katz

(2:26 PM)

Not yet.I hope they renew it but not sure it will happen in the short term until both teams sort out the schedules of their respective new conferences.

Nick (South Dakota)

Do you think that the BracketBuster selection committee will pair South Dakota State and St. Marys together? Its makes sense since SDSU will already be in Californa that week playing Cal State Bakersfield. A Wolters and Delledova matchup would be great!

Andy Katz

(2:29 PM)

Nope. I'll be surprised if Creighton is not at Saint Mary's. Not sure yet on South Dakota State. We will unveil the selections on the BracketBuster special at 6:30 p.m. EST Monday on ESPNU.

Tim (Chicago)

At this point in their careers, what similarities do you see between Brad Stevens and Coach K? Is Butler the next Duke?

Andy Katz

(2:34 PM)

Hard to compare but Brad Stevens is doing a masterful job (save last night against Saint Louis). I won't be surprised if Stevens ends up at a blue blood with his next move.

Lobos Fan (Albuquerque, NM)

I read your power rankings this morning, so this is a two part question: 1) Do you think the lobos will win the MWC 2) Will you travel out to Albuquerque when the Lobos host SDSU?

Andy Katz

(2:36 PM)

I do.As of now no.Hard to push the Lobos out of the top spot at this juncture.

Seth (Columbus, OH)

Is Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas a first round draft pick? If not, why?

Andy Katz

(2:41 PM)

I haven't polled the scouts and personnel directors or GMs yet but I would say yes.

Gael Nation (Moraga)

Andy if ST.Marys loses to Gonzaga and their project opponent Creighton but win out the rest out their league games are they in the Tourney come March?

Andy Katz

(2:43 PM)

Saint Mary's needs to get at least one of those two games -- Gonzaga at home or Creighton at home. I fail to see how the Gaels can get a bid without at least one.

Brent (SD)

We hear a lot about how good Michigan?s back court is as far as best in the nation. My question is where would you rank Michigan State?s ever improving front court?

Andy Katz

(2:45 PM)

The Spartans have enough up front to dominate the position in a given NCAA game. Payne, Nix and Dawson and a tweener like Valentine give the Spartans 20 fouls to work with in the frontcourt area. MSU will be a tough matchup for anyone it faces.

Joe (Jax)

Andy, do you think Kentucky will match up well with Florida? Gators never seem to post up and rely on a lot of drives to the basket.

Andy Katz

(2:46 PM)

True but the skill level of the Gators will be hard for Kentucky to guard. Noel will have to deal with the physical strength of Young inside.

Scott (Lawrence, KS)

Andy, of Withey, McLemore, or Releford, who do you think should be considered the Kansas team's MVP this season?

Andy Katz

(2:47 PM)

I'll go with McLemore. He has been a game changer more than any other player.

Al (Lawrence, Ks) [via mobile]

Andy who is your frontrunner for COY, POY, and national champ? Also, why does espn use the AP poll when showing teams' rankings when it's name is still affiliated with the coaches' poll?

Andy Katz

(2:48 PM)

We are no longer affiliated with the coaches poll. That change occurred this season. Bill Self is probably the leader in the clubhouse for COY, Doug McDermott for POY and national champ either KU or Michigan right now.

Matt (Spokane)

Earlier this week you put Kelly Olynyk as a 1st team All American. Given that the Zags have some games coming up against the basement of the WCC and they will not need to have him play as many minutes and get the 20+ he has in the past couple of weeks, do you still see him as an All American at the end of the year?

Andy Katz

(2:49 PM)

Yes. Unless his numbers drop dramatically I don't see Olynyk falling out of favor anytime soon.

Trey (Lawrence, KS)

Is it a travesty that KU and KSU won't trade Home-Home games with Wichita State? The only three D-1 Schools in Kansas and there isn't even a round robin? I want to know who the best team is in the state, not just speculation.... Thoughts.

Andy Katz

(2:50 PM)

I don't know if I would say travesty. I get why Kansas won't play Wichita State. A lot of these schools wouldn't play the other state school that may be perceived lower if it weren't mandated by the state legislature. Wichita State needs to use some political pressure in Topeka to get it done.

T (Tallahassee)

As an FSU fan even I don't think the Noles should be in the tournament (maybe not even the NIT!) but Lunardi has us as the Last Four Out...how is that possible? We are not good

Andy Katz

(2:51 PM)

Home games against Duke, Miami and NC State could change your thinking if the Noles were to win all three.

Chris (NC)

Hi Andy, give me a team that should be on upset alert this weekend

Andy Katz

(2:57 PM)

Syracuse if you're calling losing at Pitt an upset.

Eric (St. Louis)

Does UVa have a chance to win the ACC this season? Where do you see them come March?

Andy Katz

(2:59 PM)

I don't see the Cavs winning the league but they have the look of an NCAA team right now, despite those three CAA losses.

Jordan (Murray) [via mobile]

Why is Canaan from Murray state not getting as much love? He is better than last year but he doesn't have as good of a supporting cast which is why they have lost so many games this year. He is still a top player in the country.

Andy Katz

(3:03 PM)

He is but Murray has struggled this season and I think that's why Canaan isn't getting the same star treatment.

Johnny (Manhattan, KS)

I will admit that Bruce Weber has done a great job here this year, no question. I wonder though if he is the right fit for the long term? Things didn't go well (relatively speaking) at Illinois after Self's players left the system. Do you think he can recruit to K-State if he couldn't recruit to Illinois? Current recruiting class has me worried.

Andy Katz

(3:06 PM)

Why wouldn't he be the right fit for the long term? Kansas State would have a hard time finding a better coach.

Brandon (Lexington)

Andy if UK gets revenge on the road against the Aggies would you feel confident they have turned the corner?

Andy Katz

(3:07 PM)

I'm assuming they will win and I would already say they have turned the corner. Noel has grown up before our eyes and the point play is settling down. This team will be fine, in the tournament and win at least a game.